09 June, 2011

Reasons you're not getting hired

You don't understand. You updated your CV, you're applying to jobs every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you network. Yet here you still are on the unemployment list. What is wrong with employers?

Here are 10 reasons why employers didn't passed you by.

1. You lie
Any lies you tell in your job search, whether on your CV or in an interview, will come back to haunt you. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed.

2. You have a potty mouth
A survey showed that 32 percent of employers said that talking negatively about current or previous employers was one of the most detrimental mistakes a candidate can make. Find a way to turn those negative things job into positives.

3. You didn't -- or can't -- give examples
If all you give to an employer is a bunch of empty words about your accomplishments, you don't demonstrate how you can help the company. The more you can quantify your work, the better.

4. You came unprepared
Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

5. You don't show long-term potential
Employers want people in their organisation to work their way up, so it's best to show that you want to and can grow with the company.

6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested
A little enthusiasm never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to a potential new job. The biggest mistake candidates made in the interview was appearing disinterested or arrogant cost applicants the job.

7. You were a little too personal
Candidates who provided too much personal information in the interview essentially blew their chances at the job.

8. You were all money, no sense
As a general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed.

9. You have serious digital dirt
Social networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many employers are checking up on prospective hires. Employers found content that caused them to dismiss the candidate. Make sure to remove any photos, content or links that can work against you in an employer's eyes.

10. You don't have enough experience
Managers don't have as much time as they used to have to train and mentor new employees. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding. The best way to show that you know what you're doing is to give the employer concrete examples of your experience in a given job duty.

Anytime you talk about topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you’re setting yourself up for bias. Though it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless.